Newseum
Use ‘War of the Worlds’ to Teach Media Literacy
Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" is the focus of a activity that looks at the importance of clarity in broadcasting. After listening to the radio broadcast, class members discuss the ethical obligations to...
Curated OER
Back to the Past
What was the Untied States like in 1938? What were the concerns of Americans in the post World War I era? What were their fears? What were their sources of news and entertainment? To understand the reaction to Orson Welles' radio...
Curated OER
The War of the Worlds
Students discover the concept of media based on literature. In this War of the Worlds lesson, students read the novel The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells and listen to the 1938 radio broadcast adaptation by Orson Welles. Students then...
Curated OER
A Movie in Your Mind: Persuasive Text
Students listen to a broadcast of War of the Worlds and illustrate what they hear. In this persuasive text lesson students prepare for making a movie poster intended to persuade a director to make a film based on a short story.
Curated OER
A Different Kind of Rock Star: Part 2
Students examine our society's fascination with Mars. In this journalism instructional activity students read an article that outlines the various ways Mars has captured our imagination and are given topics for discussion...
Curated OER
I Spy with my Little Eye…
Students read an article on Vienna. In this ESL lesson, students explore a recent incident between Russia and the United States, then complete several activities that reinforce the information in the article.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Oral Storytelling and Dramatization
Students begin this activity by discussing what makes a good, vivid story and creating a working checklist of the criteria for a good story. They explore background information about the Mercury Theatre production of the "War of the...
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Orson Welles, 1915 1985
A short biography of Orson Welles, director of many films including the acclaimed Citizen Kane. Welles is also well known for his reading of War of the Worlds over the radio in 1938, which caused many people to believe that the Earth was...
American Movie Classics Company
The Film Site: Film Noir
Crime and gangster movies, detective mysteries and more -- all are of the film noir genre. Get to know the history behind this style of films.